Owners of the existing Shell gas station on upper Johnston and Cherry Creek Roads are proposing to add a Tim Hortons drive-thru and takeout facility where the existing car wash and laundromat are currently in place.
This would give Port Alberni its third Tim Hortons—two on the north side of town and one on the south (Redford Street and 10th Avenue).
Scott Smith, the director of development services, was in council chambers on Monday, May 8 to present the application from the owners of the Shell gas station and convenience store.
“What they’re proposing to do is they would demolish the two existing open car wash bays, and they would then develop a Tim Hortons drive-thru and takeout within the existing facility and structure itself,” Smith explained. “So there would be no addition to the existing building once the car wash bays are removed.”
He also confirmed that although the Shell station will retain its convenience store, the existing laundromat will be removed.
The drive-thru lane will come off of Cherry Creek Road and will be located on the opposite side of the gas bar. The planned lane will have a 17 car stacking capability.
“That’s quite substantial,” said Smith. “So that’s going to be more than adequate so that we don’t have cars backing up onto Cherry Creek Road.”
He added that the site will have no facility for eating and drinking inside. It will have takeout capability and drive-thru, with no seating, similar to the existing location on Redford Street.
Councillor Jack McLeman was concerned about the new location taking away business from the other Tim Hortons location on lower Johnston Road.
“If this becomes a replacement for that, and that one closes down, another empty building is what I’m worried about,” he said.
Councillor Ron Paulson was able to confirm,
“The management team of this Tim Hortons is the same people that operate the two Tim Hortons in Port Alberni.
“I actually reached out to them…they’re pretty confident that their shop down on lower Johnston will be just fine.”
Council approved the development permit for the new fast food franchise.